Advertising Standards for D.C. Bar Publications

All advertising is subject to the approval of the D.C. Bar. The D.C. Bar reserves the right to reject any advertising that it determines is inconsistent with the purposes and policies of the D.C. Bar or with these advertising standards for D.C. Bar publications. The decision of the D.C. Bar on whether to accept advertising will be final and controlling.

The purposes of the D.C. Bar include assisting the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in carrying on and improving the administration of justice; fostering and maintaining high ideals of integrity, learning, competence and public service, and high standards of conduct on the part of its members; safeguarding the proper professional interests of its members; providing a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the practice of law, the science of jurisprudence and law reform, and the relations of the Bar to the public; and the publication of information relating to these matters. D.C. Bar Rule I § 2.
In addition, the D.C. Bar supports efforts to eliminate discrimination against individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family responsibility or physical handicap, and to enhance the status of women and minorities in the profession. See D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 9.1; Final Report of the Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Bias and Task Force on Gender Bias in the Courts (May 1992).
Through its publications, the D.C. Bar seeks to advance these purposes and policies and otherwise to serve the professional needs and enhance the professional lives of its members.

The D.C. Bar has determined that publication of advertisements for products and services in Bar publications may imply the endorsement, support or approval of such products and services, and hence will consider that implication in determining whether or not proposed advertising will be accepted. If accepted, advertising which implies the Bar's endorsement, recommendation, support, or approval shall include a disclaimer which indicates that the product or service is not endorsed, recommended, supported, or approved by the D.C. Bar.

The D.C. Bar reserves the right to reject advertising that it determines is inconsistent with the professional character of its publications. As a matter of policy, the following advertising shall not be accepted:

Advertising for products or services that are illegal or whose movement in interstate commerce is illegal. Advertising for contests, lotteries, or the offering of prizes based on chance.

Advertising for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or firearms.

Advertising by or on behalf of political candidates at any level, including, but not limited to, D.C. Bar positions.

Advertising advocating positions on political or social issues.

Advertising is not accepted by which the advertiser violates or may enable another to violate the District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct or the District of Columbia Code of Judicial Conduct.

Advertising that, on its face, is false or misleading to the "reasonable reader" of D.C. Bar publications and advertising copy for which the advertiser cannot provide factual substantiation or legal authorization in a form satisfactory to the D.C. Bar shall not be accepted.

Advertising shall not in subject matter, content, material, or design jeopardize the mailing status of the publication in which it appears, and such advertising shall not be accepted. The publisher reserves the right to obtain clearance from the U.S. Postal Service.

Classified advertising is limited to the following matters: lawyer employment opportunities; employment wanted; referral of legal work; sale of used law books; sale of law office equipment or furnishings; law office rental opportunities; and professional services that will assist an attorney with the practice of law. Generalized advertising of all other professional services to lawyers that cannot qualify under this standard of advertising must be purchased at regular display rates.

No unpaid advertising space will be provided for public service or other advertising except advertising for products and services of the D.C. Bar, or D.C. Bar-generated advertising of D.C. Bar-sponsored products or services. Such advertising shall be published on a space-available basis.

Discounted advertising will be provided to:

D.C. voluntary bar associations as reflected on a list maintained by the D.C. Bar Executive Office. Such organizations are entitled to a 50 percent discount on display advertising space.

Entities that offer products or services as part of D.C. Bar member benefits programs. With respect to those products or services, such entities are entitled to the six-time advertising rate for any number of advertisements they purchase. These entities are also entitled to the full-page advertising rate for any bind-in or blow-in advertisements purchased in the Washington Lawyer.

If an advertisement offers the sale of a product by mail order, the D.C. Bar reserves the right to examine the product a purchaser will receive. Examination of the product or publication of the advertisement does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product nor the endorsement, recommendation, support, or approval of the product by the D.C. Bar.

The advertiser shall protect and indemnify the D.C. Bar against any and all liability, loss, or expense arising from the publication of the advertiser's advertisement.

The D.C. Bar shall not be liable for failure to furnish advertising space or to publish any advertisement due to strikes, labor disputes, government action, act of God, war, fire, breakdown of equipment, or any other circumstances beyond the control of the D.C. Bar.